Improvement in car-springs



J. A. LOWE. Oar-Spring.

No. 212,021. Patented Feb. 4,1879.

PETERS. FNOTO'UTHQGRAFHER. WASHINGTON, u c

.the truck-frame.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFIGE.

JAMES A. LOWE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-SPRINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 212,021, dated February 4, 1879; application filed November 13, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. LOWE, of the city and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gar-Springs, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention more particularly relates to railroad-car springs, in which a system of toggle-levers or jointed bars is combined with springs for support of the bolster upon which the body of the car Tests to connect it with the truck-frame; and the invention consists in a novel construction and combination of details, whereby theefficiency and simplicity of the toggle-lever and spring-supporting device are obtained.

Figure 1 represents a plan or top view or my invention; Fig. 2, a central longitudinal section of the same, and Fig. 3 a transverse vertical section thereof on the line am.

In said drawings, which simply represents one toggle-lever and spring device for support of the car-bolster, A is a metallic case or box, which rests upon the truck-frame. This box, which may be in duplicate at opposite ends or sides of the frame, has a central upright portion, B, mounted on or cast with it 5 and said box is closed at opposite ends of its base by cross-bars or plates C- 0, between which and the inner ends of sliding followers D D, in the base of the box A, one or more springs on opposite sides of the upright portion B, but preferably two or more spiral springs, E E, are arranged. G is a central bar or support for the carbolster. This bar is fitted to project loosely up through the upright portion B of the box A, to provide for the free or independent movement of the bolster or car relatively to The lower portion of said bar G is constructed with reverse side arms I) Z), to opposite sides of each of which are pivoted, by joint-pins c c, the lower ends of bars or levers H H, which have their upper ends connected by joint-pins d d with bars or levers 1 I, that have their fulcrums e a above in the upright portion B of the box A. r

The bars H H and I I, when united with each other and with the upright portion B of the box, form toggle-levers, which are actuated by the rise and fall or sliding motion of v the levers I I, which are extended below the joint-pins d d, to bear against projections ff on the sliding followers D D, and force the latter outward against the tension of the springs E'E, which are correspondingly compressed. On the other hand, upon pressure being relieved from the central bar G, the springs E E, acting through the sliding followers D D upon the lower legs or extensions of the levers I I, flex the toggle-levers H I, and correspondingly raise the central bar G and bolster resting thereon, This action, although a sensitive one, and providing alike for the straighteningof the toggle-levers either by a uniform pressure or by the sudden jolting of the car, relieves the springs of much or all liability to breakage, by reason of the support which the togglelevers in straightening give to the car, to the relief of the springs, which consequently may be much lighter than when the pressure is brought to bear directly upon them; but no deadness of action is produced by reason of the increased force of the springs as the toggle-levers assume a straightened position.

The combination of parts, as shown and described, provides for this action in a most simple, advantageous, durable, and eflicient manner.

I claim- The combination, with the portion B of the box A, of the loosely-fitting and freely-sliding central bar G, having reverse side arms i) Z), the toggle-levers H 1, the sliding followers D D, and the springs E E, substantially as specificd.

JAMES A. LOWE.

XVitnesses:

HENRY T. BROWN, ALFRED BURHORN. 

